Home Assistant Podcast

Phil and Rohan unpack Home Assistant 2026.11, from HACS becoming the built-in Marketplace to target exclusions, entity and device naming changes, Matter cameras with two-way talk and LoRaWAN.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA257Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:01:39 4,858 merged pull requests and Community Day00:04:30 HACS becomes Marketplace00:11:01 Security, Plex and switching to Jellyfin00:17:33 Month of “What the heck?!” and new partners00:20:26 Mailbag: Echo wall clock hack and Echo Dot jailbreaks00:28:09 Dan’s gas price automation00:30:02 Zooz joins JASCO and Zooz sponsor00:34:33 Mailbag: a new home and Zen35 switches00:36:06 2026.11: target exclusions and automation editor00:40:14 Date card, light colours and naming changes00:44:45 Self-filling dashboard sections, activity filter and logs00:48:06 Statistics fixes and action history00:50:05 Matter cameras and two-way talk00:53:42 LoRaWAN, local backups and Zigbee Green Power00:57:38 Update start trigger and AI tools00:59:28 Energy dashboard from power sensors01:00:44 New integrations roundup01:07:09 Breaking changes01:09:37 Wiimote, DuckDuckGo donation and box of shameThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Link by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.comZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Want Phil to help with your smart home?You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.comProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeePrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dan joins Phil and Rohan to trace his smart home journey from X10 and MySensors to Home Assistant. Hear how he designs ESPHome light switches, controls an RS-485 thermostat, and plans new automations with Zigbee, Frigate and Reolink cameras.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA256Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction and opening sponsors00:02:08 Dan’s journey from X1000:06:31 Building MySensors light switches00:10:48 Discovering Home Assistant00:14:00 Designing safer ESPHome switches00:17:00 Connecting the legacy thermostat00:20:49 Presence sensing and accessibility00:23:23 Outdoor sensors and camera ideas00:26:45 Collecting data00:29:00 Zigbee, Modbus and the well00:33:02 Leak detection and insurance00:35:02 DIY irrigation and local weather00:38:56 Soil moisture and greenhouse plans00:42:43 Frigate, bins and pet detection00:46:56 Wildlife cameras and closing thoughtsThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Link by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.comZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Want Phil to help with your smart home?You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.comProducts DiscussedAqara FP2 presence sensor: https://amzn.to/4aVeDjoProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil and Rohan tour Patreon supporter Jason’s Home Assistant setup. Discover how he uses UniFi cameras as motion sensors, automatically aims a PTZ camera, and identifies backyard birds with BirdNet.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA255Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Welcome00:02:52 From X10 to whistle-controlled TVs00:06:44 Jason’s tech background and home lab00:11:49 Home Assistant on Proxmox00:14:34 Lutron, HomeKit, and reliable lighting00:17:46 The IKEA switches that press themselves00:20:00 WLED and the Raspberry Pi rack00:23:45 Monitoring without alert overload00:26:30 AI agents audit the home lab00:29:35 Prioritizing alerts and critical devices00:32:01 Battery reminders and daily briefings00:34:00 Smart-home protocols00:36:12 IKEA Matter devices and Aqara sensors00:38:42 Water leaks, Apple TV, and climate00:41:11 Meross thermostats and temperature mapping00:44:47 Meal planning meets home automation00:47:50 Shopping lists and UniFi cameras00:50:00 Cameras that aim other cameras00:53:17 Indoor camera rules and outdoor projects00:56:51 BirdNet identifies backyard birds00:59:00 Bird displays and favorite automations01:01:40 Doorbell messages and TV automations01:04:00 Jellyfin, Nest Hub, and closing thoughtsThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsClean My MacGet Tidy Today! Get 7 days free and use our code ASSISTANT for 20% offApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Home Assistant Link by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.comZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comWant Phil to help with your smart home?You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.comProducts DiscussedLutron Caseta light switches: https://amzn.to/48rNmSNApollo Automation ESPHome Starter Kit: https://esphome.io/starter-kit/Products we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A temperature sensor, a smart plug and a baby who wouldn’t sleep started Mayan’s Home Assistant journey. Phil and Rohan explore how that first nursery automation grew into Zigbee heating controls, local white noise, custom lighting and a whole-house dashboard.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA254Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 — Welcome00:02:00 — A sleepless baby starts everything00:05:17 — Smart plugs and temperature sensors00:08:25 — Tuya reliability and appliance safety00:11:15 — Heating controls and nursery white noise00:14:24 — Sonos, Spotify and local playback00:17:22 — Choosing Zigbee over Wi-Fi00:19:00 — ESP builds and fireplace fan safety00:23:00 — Making custom Home Assistant hardware00:25:20 — Projector lights and movie controls00:27:28 — Smart-home controls00:30:00 — Buttons, voice and kitchen tablets00:33:55 — Night lights that help kids sleep00:37:00 — Shared calendars on Home Assistant00:40:00 — Organizing busy family schedules00:43:26 — Automating a louvered pergola00:46:30 — Hacking the pergola remote00:49:40 — Tracking louver position00:52:40 — DIY trade-offs and remote reliability00:55:45 — Holiday mode and home security00:58:40 — Solar hot water and load shifting01:01:45 — Heat banking and energy choices01:04:20 — A Frigate-powered AI cat trainer01:07:30 — The mini PC running everythingThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Link by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.comZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Want Phil to help with your smart home?You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.comProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeePrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil and Rohan unpack Home Assistant 2026.10, from redesigned maps and easier trigger-based automations to AI setup, Matter devices and Z-Wave network maps. They also discuss reports about LG TV privacy and Shelly’s planned acquisition.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA253Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Introduction00:02:00 Community Day plans00:04:39 Home Assistant Link replaces Cloud00:07:29 LG TV privacy concerns00:16:38 Shelly’s planned acquisition00:24:01 Critical iPhone notifications00:26:16 Notification tips and Zooz sponsor00:28:16 Redesigned and customizable maps00:30:42 Easier automation trigger conditions00:34:47 Dashboard visibility and AI tools00:37:32 Z-Wave maps and YAML improvements00:40:16 Generators and energy monitoring00:44:00 Modbus, profiles and timers00:47:56 Glass-break sensors and security dashboards00:52:00 Matter updates and Thread plans00:55:36 Templates, Hue and Z-Wave00:58:00 UniFi Protect and integration updates01:01:00 iCloud lists and local vehicle control01:03:20 New infrared and energy integrations01:07:18 Solar, messaging and plant integrations01:10:27 Removed integrations and upgrade advice01:11:24 Green Button energy dataThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Link by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.comZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Want Phil to help with your smart home?You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.comProducts DiscussedShelly smart relays/switches: https://amzn.to/4tfoHdEHome Assistant ZBT2 (Zigbee radio): https://amzn.to/4pLxykTProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy